The Sultanate of Oman is a country in the southwestern part of Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea in the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast. The country also has an exclave in the United Arab Emirates.

The Sultanate of Oman is divided into three governorates - Muscat, Dhofar and Musandam and five regions-- i.e. there are eight administrative regions: A'Dakhliyah; A'Dhahira; Al Batinah; Dhofar; Al Wusta; Muscat; Musandam; Al Sharqiya. Each of these is subdivided into smaller districts called wilayats, which are governed by the wali, the person responsible for the area who reports to the Ministry of the Interior.

The climate differs from one area to another. It is hot and humid in the coastal areas in summer; while it is hot and dry in the Interior with the exception of the higher mountains, which enjoy a moderate climate throughout the year. Rainfall is generally light and irregular; although heavy rains and thunderstorms can cause severe flooding. In the south, the Dhofar region has a moderate climate and the pattern of rainfall is more predictable with heavy monsoon rains occurring regularly between May and September.

Average temperatures for the north of Oman are 32 - 48 0C from May to September; 26 - 36 0C from October to April. Due to the monsoon season, June to September, Dhofar in the south of the country maintains a fairly steady year-round temperature of around 30 - 35 degC. Dhofar is transformed after the rains into a lush landscape of green fields and verdant vegetation.

Oman is the world's easternmost Arabian country. The majority of Omanis are Arabs, although there is a sizable Baloch, and swahili minority. As in most other Arab countries, a large number of foreign laborers live here, mostly from India and Pakistan. The official language is Arabic, but the minorities speak their own languages. A non-Arabic Semitic language is spoken in Dhofar.

Islam is the predominant religion, mostly Ibadiyya, with a Sunni population in Dhofar. Exact numbers are not certain.

Even though Oman is a modern country, western influences are quite restricted. The Ibadi form of Islam is fairly liberal in comparison with Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam. In common with most Middle Eastern countries, alcohol is only available in some hotels and few restaurants.

Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Baloochi, or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic. However, the dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic. However, the country has adopted a second language which is widely spoken, English, and is on almost all signs and writings that you see.

Oman is a country of enormous diversity and natural beauty, which, while it has much to attract the discerning traveller, had until recent years been largely overlooked by international tourists.

The temperate months of mid-October to mid-March are the best time to visit. Avoid the June to September monsoon season in the south. Non-Muslims should bear in mind that, over the next few years, Oman will be celebrating the end of Ramadan in January or December, the pilgrimage to Mecca in April or March, and the Prophet's Birthday in July or June.

Heritage Attractions of Oman are:

There are three forts in Muscat, all of which took on their more or less present form in the 1580s during the Portuguese occupation of Muscat. Mutrah Fort sits on a hill while Jalali and Mirani forts guard the entrance to Muscat. All of the forts are still used by the police and/or military and are closed to the public, but it's okay to photograph them. Muscat has by far the best aquarium in the Gulf. All of the specimens on display are native to Omani waters and most are accompanied by thorough descriptions in English. The Oman Museum, in the Medinat Qaboos, west of Muscat, covers the entire sweep of Oman's 5000-year history. There are also a displays on shipbuilding, Islam and fort architecture. In Ruwi, the National Museum has sparkling displays on Omani silverwork, and the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, in the Bait al-Falaj fort, has an excellent outline of Omani history.

Muscat is Oman's capital enchants visitors in a way that no other city in the Gulf can even begin to match. Maybe it's because Muscat doesn't have that slightly artificial feel which typifies so much of the rest of the region. Muscat, Mutrah and Ruwi are the capital's core districts. Muscat, the old port area, is the site of the sultan's main palace and a fascinating place to wander around, but it has few shops and, except for the old city walls, it isn't exactly bursting with sights.

Muscat's best value rooms are along the Mutrah Corniche. If you spend only a little above rock-bottom you'll get good views and great atmosphere. There are several small restaurants along the Corniche, too, and several good bets in Ruwi.

Salalah is Oman's second city is a striking change from Muscat. Salalah is about the only corner of Arabia that catches the Indian summer monsoon, and it's also the best base for exploring the villages and archaeological sites of southern Oman.

The ruins of Al-Balid, site of the ancient city of Zafar, lie about 5km (3mi) east of the centre, on the coast. Zafar's heyday was in the 11th and 12th centuries when it was an active trading port. Coins from as far away as China have been found at the site. There are very good beaches all along the road to Mughsail, once you're about 5km (3mi) west of Salalah.

Nizwa has recently emerged from centuries of fierce religious conservatives as one of Oman's major tourist centres. Nizwa's fort was built in the mid-17th century by Sultan bin Saif, the first imam of the Al-Ya'ribi dynasty. For the next 300 years it was the primary seat of the imamate, serving as a combination palace, seat of government and prison. The town's other great attraction is its souk which, despite having been moved into more 'modern' quarters, retains much of its colour and vitality.
OMAN National Animal : Arabian Oryx
Oman National Name : Sultanate of Oman
National Capital : Muscat
Oman Area : Approx. 309,500n Sq Km (119,500 Sq. Mi), 0.21% of total
Oman Population : 2,905,000 in 2010 (0.04% in total)
Ethnicity in Oman : Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Oman Languages : Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects.
Religions in Oman: Islam: Ibadhi 75%, Sunni, Shi'a; Hindu
Currency : Rial Omani ,OMR
Time Zone :
UTC+04

Popular Cities in Oman

Muscat

Salalah

Nizwa

Sohar

Sur

Matrah